Latavious Williams, a 6-7 wing ranked the No. 6 power forward in the nation, has postponed his college decision until next week.
Williams initially planned to choose from among Memphis, Georgetown and Kansas State. But he took a weekend official visit to Isiah Thomas‘ news stomping grounds at Florida International and that school is now in the mix.
“I’m going to decide by next week,” Williams said Sunday night by phone. “I’m down here visiting Florida International now.”
Williams said Thomas, the former Knicks GM and head coach, had reached out to him last week about coming for a visit.
“I was with him all today,” Williams said of Thomas. “That went real well. That went nice. I get along with him. He knows a lot of people who know NBA scouts so we’re just talking about all of that.”
A report in Sunday’s New York Post said several Florida high school coaches were upset with Thomas because he cut ties with recruits without calling to let them know.
“From Jacksonville, to Orlando to Pensacola, there’s a lot of coaches in Florida not happy with him right now,” Wolfson coach Greg Rosebrock told The Post. “He’s not making friends here. I understand not wanting him [Chris Rozier], but place a phone call and do it in a professional way.”
Asked what he was looking for in a school, Williams said: “A nice school that fits me well. Somewhere where I can just go and play.”
Williams insisted that he will be qualified academically to play college ball.
“I’ll be qualified,” he said. “I just took my ACT. I’m good.”
InfinityDividedByZero / May 3, 2009
Even with standard athletic admissions, how can Georgetown admit a kid with the bare minimum NCAA standards? It sounds like Thompson’s going back to the days when he had Broadus working as his chief recruiter.
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USC.trojan / May 4, 2009
Memphis has fallen hard.
But, it will be up in 5 years…
So, what is going on at Memphis….
We heard of Simpkins leaving Memphis.
And then we hear about Lat W. not going to Memphis.
Bledsoe has Memphis as the last choice. First choice is UK.
But, he has to wait for Wall decision.
Memphis is not looking like a good option for 09.
But, Josh will be a good coach in 5 years.
He should be able to win the CONF USA ,next year.
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ronald.burgandy / May 4, 2009
You have to wait for all the cards to be dealt to decide where Memphis stands.
Simplest way of putting this, USC.Trojan you’re a knucklehead.
Simpkins was KICKED off of the team last season. So not a loss or a surprise that he is transferring.
Latavious has not decided. By all accounts, see Rivals, etc. Memphis is still his leader.
Bledsoe’s first choice is not Kentucky. From friends of his coach and others I have never heard that. He will most likely choose Memphis.
Also, Memphis is still on the radar of Lance Stephenson.
Regardless of if Memphis gets any or all of those recruits, Pastner and staff have done a fantastic job to set themselves up to get those guys.
Josh IS a good coach.
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MemphisTigerLance / May 4, 2009
I was going to respond to USC.trojan’s idiotic post, but would have said pretty much the same thing as you, ronald.burgandy. Nice post. You can’t judge Memphis’ class until these decisions are made, and by all legitimate accounts (unlike those of Mr. Trojan, here), Memphis is still very much in the mix for Williams, Bledsoe, and Stephenson. And, you’re right, Simpkins transferring was more the decision of the coaches and administrators than it was Simpkins’ decision, so that’s no great loss. Even if Memphis doesn’t get any of these 3 recruits, though, Josh has done a nice job just to get seriously involved with 3 top recruits with so little time to work with. Memphis will be just fine, and USC.trojan, it will be much sooner than you think. Even if they miss out on these recruits, imagine what Josh can do with a full year of recruiting next year, especially considering all of the talent coming out of Memphis area high schools in 2010.
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MemphisTigerLance / May 4, 2009
Jerry Meyer at Rivals.com considers Memphis to be the favorite for both Bledsoe and Williams. These are from his “mailbag” which just posted on Rivals.
“Pretty simple question, where does Eric Bledsoe end up?
— Dan from Cincinnati
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Bledsoe is down to Kentucky and Memphis. On Thursday he visited Memphis and on Saturday he will be in Lexington. Kentucky isn’t recruiting Bledsoe as a backup plan for John Wall. Coach John Calipari would love to reel in both players with Bledsoe taking over the reigns completely after Wall leaves for the NBA after his freshman season. In addition, Bledsoe is publically saying that he will decide between Kentucky and Memphis regardless of Wall’s school choice.
I’m buying that Kentucky would love to have both guards, but I’m not buying Bledsoe’s assertion that he doesn’t have an eye on Wall. Bledsoe wants to start right away, and start right away at point guard. That is not going to happen if he is on the same team as Wall.
If Wall goes to Kentucky or Bledsoe thinks he is going to Kentucky, look for Bledsoe to choose Memphis. If Wall opts for a school other than Kentucky, expect Bledsoe to choose Kentucky.”
“What is the recruiting status of Latavious Williams? Has he qualified? Does Memphis have the best shot of landing him now that Georgetown signed a class of three?
— Cole from Champaign, Ill.
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Williams is expected to sign with Memphis on Monday, choosing the Tigers over Georgetown and Kansas State.
No, he hasn’t qualified, and the chances of him qualifying are iffy.
Williams’ camp has been in the process of exploring options for him to play professionally overseas if he is unable to qualify academically.”
So, again, let’s wait until the papers are signed before we say that “Memphis has fallen hard.”
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Bmac / May 5, 2009
hey arizona could use a great pf. latavious should become a wildcat!
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